Spring cleaning is one of the common duties for most residents in the Northwoods. The snow begins to melt and we see the soggy oak leaves that didn’t fall until after the last raking we did in autumn.Spring cleanup can be a dreaded task or a long awaited excuse to get outside to soak up some sunlight. Our office sees many injuries after a few warm weeks of spring. Increased bending, reaching and lifting activities that occur during a typical spring cleanup can cause acute pain and other injuries. Over-exertion and repetitive motion can result in sprains, strains and low back pain.Use some of our injury prevention tips before you do your spring cleanup!

Start with a 10 minute warm up with light walking and stretches.

Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated with extra water.

When lifting, don’t forget to lift with your knees, not at the waist and keep your back straight!

Do not twist at the waist.

Always ask for help for items that are heavy or bulky.

Maintain posture at all times by keeping your spine in line by giving yourself a wide base while standing, keep your feet apart, in line with your shoulders.

Use a kneeling pad or stool instead of bending over for long periods of time.

Avoid bending over too much. If you find that you have been repetitively bending over for a long time; change to a different task that doesn’t involve bending. Switch up your movements with tasks off and on to avoid repetitive motions.

Wear proper footwear with good, supportive, non-skid soles.

Cool down with another light walk and some more stretches for 5-10 minutes.

Don’t forget! There are many wonderful massage therapists in the area that would be more than happy to work on your tired muscles after you spring cleanup!